Keyboard 'dead'. Windows bug or motherboard???

[FancyIdeas]

My keyboard quit working -- no response to any key. My
mouse continues and work and I can operate all of my
usual programs as long as I use the mouse. I tried my
husband's keyboard on my computer and it would not
function either. (My keyboard works just fine with his
computer -- so it must be something in either my computer
or my computer's programs.)

Three local computer repair shops have told me the same
thing: The keyboard 'shutdown' is probably a hardware
failure, probably the motherboard. (It is an eMachine -
about 5-6 years old - but everything in it has been
updated -- except the motherboard.)

One shop suggested it might be a Windows glitch -- and
that I could find a patch for this particular XP bug that
might 'fix' my dead keyboard. (I'm typing this on my
husband's computer.)

Can you tell me where to look to find a 'fix' for my
problem? I'm cringing at the idea of $200+ for a new
motherboard -- and $400-500 to replace the computer. Any
help will be greatly appreciated!
Thanks!
Linda

 

[Rich Barry]

Depending on how old your computer is( not more than four years old )
you should have a USB port available. USB Keyboards are very cheap. Ten
bucks the most. The same happened to me. It was the PS2 Keyboard Connector
on the Motherboard. Just switched to a USB and it worked fine.

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

You can easily tell - if the keyboard works in the BIOS
setup then you have a Windows problem. If it does not
work in the BIOS setup then you have a motherboard
problem.

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

MSI Motherboard had an issue with some of the capacitiors between the

Keybard socket and motherboard leaking and shoting out.

This prevents any signals between Keyboard and motherboard, also causes

the PC to start-up if the BIOS is set to wake up from keyboard input.

The recommendations given are pretty sound, unless you are able to get an

identical motherboard for around the same price as a USB Keyboard.

Changing your motherboard to one with different chipset will result in the

need to reinstall Windows XP.

Not necessarily - see here:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;EN-US;Q315341